Police: Vigil-goer stabs man in the back near scene of Syracuse's latest homicide

Syracuse, NY -- A 52-year-old man suffered a minor stab wound as he was trying to enter the Steuben Street home where a woman was found beaten to death on Christmas Eve, Syracuse police said.

David Severance, of 144 Steuben St., was stabbed in the back about 5:55 p.m. as he was entering the building where Latisha Hayes was found dead a week ago.

Severance told police he arrived home and saw several people conducting a vigil on the front porch of his home. Severance told police that as he was trying to enter his home, he was attacked by some of the people involved with the vigil.

Hayes, 18, was found dead a week ago in a bed inside 144 Steuben St. Craig Owens, 38, was charged with second-degree murder in her death.

A memorial for Hayes, made up of candles and balloons, was set up outside 144 Steuben St. by the curb this evening. People were tending to the memorial as police investigated the stabbing.

Police said that it was unknown if the stabbing is related to the homicide at the home.